As the days get longer and the weather gets hotter, it is ever-important to make your budget more efficient. From simple home lifestyle changes to major modifications to your daily routine, there are many ways to save money and stay cool this summer.
1. Drive Less
Due to many supply bottlenecks, the price of oil has skyrocketed so far this year, translating to severe pain at the gasoline pump for all Americans who drive. Though driving is often the fastest way to get around, this year, it may not be the most cost-effective. If you live in an area with usable public transportation, leaving your car at home and traveling by bus or train can save you hundreds of dollars per year. Since the pandemic, most transit agencies have not raised their fares to attract more ridership. As gas prices have risen, public transportation has become an even more attractive option for the budget-minded commuter. Moreover, riding the bus around town is one way to cool down on a hot day, as almost all vehicles have comfortable air conditioning for riders to enjoy.
2. Cool Your Garage
While spending time indoors with your air conditioner on full blast may be comfortable, it is not kind to your wallet, as it will raise your energy bills. If your home has a patio or a garage, looking for mesh tarps will prove to be a worthwhile investment to keep your outdoor spaces cool. More specifically, if your home has a garage, you can use a mesh tarp to cover the open garage door at night to let the cool air in and keep the bugs out. Therefore, your garage can stay cool from the heat of the summer, and it can become a more livable space for you and your family.
3. Ditch the Dryer
While they are easy and effective to use, dryers are an inefficient way to finish the laundry process, as they are extremely energy-intensive, and therefore, expensive to operate. Along with other methods to lower your energy bills, drying your clothes outdoors on a clothing line will save you a lot of money since the sun is completely free to use. If you live in an area with a hotter and drier climate, your wet clothes will dry fairly quickly in the heat of the day. However, if there is any rain in the forecast, be sure to bring your clothes back indoors to avoid needing to repeat the process all over again. Finally, if you need to wear your clothes soon after they finish drying, they won’t carry the residual heat from the dryer, so your body can stay cool during the day.
4. Exercise Outdoors
Gym membership fees can quickly add up and become a strain on your budget. While going to the gym is a habit for many people, it is not absolutely necessary for staying in shape. If you desire to save money this summer, you can cancel your gym memberships in favor of a completely free option that is just as good for burning your daily calories. While it is normally very uncomfortable to exercise outside in the heat of the summer day in most places, if you go outside to work out in the early morning or late at night, it will be much cooler and hospitable. Doing simple endurance exercises outdoors in cooler weather on the street or in your yard does not cost anything, so it will be much more friendly to your budget.
6. Establish Natural Ventilation
Another tip to save money on pesky energy bills is to allow for better natural ventilation in your home. For example, if you have two sets of windows directly across from one another, you can keep them open so the wind will blow through your home, cooling it and reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning. This is more effective in dryer climates and areas with more consistent wind, but it can work anyplace during the summer to some degree.
Saving Money and Staying Cool Go Hand-in-hand
With these tips to save money while staying cool this summer, you can allocate more of your budget to your future. Summer is the season when people use the most energy and spend the most on leisure activities, but by spending less, you can have more financial peace of mind this year and beyond.
